Entrepreneurship is a large part of the world of business, and it is only getting more prominent, which means that it is vital to stay on top of all the tools available to facilitate success for your small business. Over the years, countless tools such as Field Pulse have been engineered to offer business solutions Read more
Digital tools
Entrepreneurship is a large part of the world of business, and it is only getting more prominent, which means that it is vital to stay on top of all the tools available to facilitate success for your small business. Over the years, countless tools such as Field Pulse have been engineered to offer business solutions and increase their overall productivity.
Since other small businesses are actively implementing these tools, you will likely fall victim to comparison; therefore, you should consider working smarter. To allow yourself to focus on the tasks most essential to your business and keep your efficiency up, you must be able to determine what tools would work well for your small business.
There are multiple business-oriented technologies, platforms, and services on the market, which might make it hard to determine which ones are best suited for your business. Business proceedings need to be done in haste, and adopting something new may take up more time and involve high costs. Continue reading this article to familiarize yourself with tools that will guarantee your small business’s success and save you the hassle of tedious searching for the best tools and futile adoptions.
Field Pulse
This cloud-based service helps businesses manage communication, job scheduling, and dispatching with teams in the field. It has tools that include work order management, billing, remote access, and routing.
Field Pulse was designed for contractors and mobile service businesses to help provide employers access to client notes, customer information, and project updates. It also has a tool that allows businesses to offer cost visibility across the pipeline and assign pricing to every line item. Field Pulse will enable you to supervise subtasks assigned to individual team members and track their performance as they work on projects.
Additionally, it comes with a time tracking tool that helps establish employee accountability and monitor both the time and location of teams.
Online Business Plan Service
Having a solid plan in place is the key to launching any successful business. Online business plan services make this possible for multiple entrepreneurs. This service offers a myriad of templates and tools necessary for transforming good ideas into profitable ventures.
Some of the tools include chart generators and financial calculators to help crunch numbers and embody the business’ vision in a quantifiable way. Also, they feature goal achievement monitors and performance graphs that will allow you to track your progress and make necessary changes to your business when an issue arises.
Anti-Virus Software
Since every business requires a network connection, it is crucial to protect your business’s connection. Anti-virus software guards networks and computers against spyware, dangerous viruses, worms, trojans, and other malware. Without this protection, you could soon end up with an infected computer that will lead to lost productivity, stolen information, and down networks.
Web Hosting
In today’s online world, it is hard for businesses to thrive without an online presence. With a web hosting service, you can create a website that stores your business’s files and uploads them directly to the web when you need it to.
This will provide an internet connection that will enable consumers to access the site through any domain name they choose. Web hosting offers numerous options, including an unlimited number of email addresses that include the site’s domain name, email functionality, one-click installation of supported apps, and website builders that you can use to design the site.
Online Data Storage
Running your small business will require that you rely on computers more than ever; therefore, it is critical to ensure your information is appropriately stored. Online storage services offer a place to store your files in case something happens to your computers, like theft, accidental erasures, and hard drive failure.
Since the data is being stored online, you can always access your files from anywhere provided you have an internet connection. Plus, an online storage service also offers a place to store large files, which enables you to free up more space on your computer’s hard drive.
Online Project Management Software
For your small business to be more productive, it is important that you stay on track. Using online project management software offers a means to manage and organize complex projects from start to completion efficiently. This software will help you allocate and manage resources including, generic and external resources, team members, physical assets, and documents.
Additionally, it offers ways for clients to view reports and status updates and tools for teams to communicate through. Generally, online project management software increases efficiency by issue tracking, centralizing requests, communication, scheduling, resource availability, and document management.
Time Management and Tracking Software
With a lot to accomplish, it is essential for you to maximize the productivity of your small business. Time management and tracking software will help you monitor what is being accomplished so that you can better manage both the time and productivity of your employees.
This software will monitor and record individual employee hours, including work hours, projects, overtime, sick leave, and vacation time. The software also has the ability to track customers, expenses, individual projects, and invoices.
Credit Card Processing
Using hard cash has become almost unnecessary over the past few years; since shoppers prefer using credit and debit cards, it is expected that they will want to be able to use them everywhere. Adopting credit card processing services will enable you to accept every form of payment, such as electronic checks, traditional checks, debit cards, and major credit cards, anytime and anywhere. This service uses encryption technology to provide protection against credit card fraud for your business by making sure every shopper’s personal information is protected.
Start Implementing These Tools Today
Success does not come as naturally as most people would want it to. In order for your small business to become more productive and overall successful, you would have to make the necessary changes to achieve that.
Investing in a few new services that offer exemplary tools is a simple way to get your small business off to a good start. Although it might be a little challenging to change your thinking about some of your business processes, these changes will significantly enhance your business’s efficiency. Consider implementing the tools outlined above and watch your small business thrive.
Nearly five years ago, at an undisclosed location nearby its corporate headquarters, invitees to the annual Milwaukee Tool NPS event were introduced to what would be the future of how contractors in the field view and use tools. Piggybacking off of what Milwaukee stands behind, One-Key—Milwaukee’s initial dive into tool connectivity—is another statement in the Read more
Nearly five years ago, at an undisclosed location nearby its corporate headquarters, invitees to the annual Milwaukee Tool NPS event were introduced to what would be the future of how contractors in the field view and use tools. Piggybacking off of what Milwaukee stands behind, One-Key—Milwaukee’s initial dive into tool connectivity—is another statement in the company’s ongoing mission to be a solutions provider. “More data in the hands of contractors helps them make better decisions,” says Steve Matson, director of Program Management, One-Key.
According to Matson, the smart technology that is One-Key falls within Milwaukee’s general approach to development—being a solutions company first. “When we started rolling up the problems that we were hearing during our product research years ago, connectivity became a great enabler to solve these issues in ways that we couldn’t in the past,” says Matson.
“If you accept that technology is continuously evolving, it starts to become more of a conversation around how you can maintain a platform that’s adaptable and capable of change over the years, and that’s how we plan. We recognize that even though most smartphones turn over once a year or once every two years, our products are expected to last closer to a decade. The conversation becomes focused on how we set a contractor up for success, and how we ensure that purchase remains as capable five years down the road as it is today,” says Matson.
When first launched, One-Key was touted as the first digital platform for tools and equipment, One-Key integrates industry-leading tool electronics with a custom-built cloud-based program to provide a new level of control and access to information. “By leveraging this cloud-based innovation, we’re opening the doors to a virtual, interactive, and instantaneous experience for power tool users; ultimately creating a jobsite of endless possibilities through smarter tools,” said Andrew Lentz, product manager, Milwaukee Tool, back in 2016.
One-Key interface
This was done in three ways:
- Inventory Management— the mobile App and web interface will allow users to input any product (via serial #, receipts, etc.) and keep detailed records of each tool. Managers were also able to assign locations or specific owners to each asset, providing accountability, and enabling easy information sharing between the field and back-office. This feature helps contractors be better inventory managers.
- Tool Reporting— will give the user the ability download critical information and use this information to generate reports that can confirm the success/accuracy of an installation, and will be able to upload data and history to create custom reports that track the success and timing of electrical terminations. By syncing tool data, users can conduct preventive maintenance through data analysis and collection.
- Tool Control— Users can use pre-determined set-ups for specific fasteners and materials, or completely customize their own profile with torque and speed settings for the application at hand. With a touch of the button on the tool, they can easily go back and forth between these saved profiles so that each application is done with the most accurate and productive settings.
When asked about the possibility of an auto shut-off feature for the tool for guys who take the tool home from the jobsite, or the possibility of embedding some type of GPS component, Milwaukee representatives didn’t rule it out for the future. “This is really just the beginning,” I was told. Not too long after, Milwaukee offered Integrated Tool Tracking where users could identify where and when their One-Key compatible tools were last seen.
Today, the One-Key platform is considered the industry’s largest tracking network, and the platform is said to provide, on average, up to five million location updates every single day, which have helped facilitate the recovery of thousands of tools. With Community Bluetooth tracking, barcode scanning and geofencing, users get complete control and visibility of their inventory across any job, crew and location. Real-time alerts help prevent loss and expensive setbacks.
“We’re always looking at ways to make this technology more available in our tools and equipment,” says Matson, as evidenced with the launch of the MX Fuel line late last year.
“2020 will be our biggest launch year yet for One-Key enabled product. I see a lot of similarities to how the FUEL line has grown over the years, from just a drill and an impact driver to a healthy majority of our line. Where connectivity makes sense, adds value, and solves a problem: you’ll see One-Key,” says Matson. “If you haven’t experienced One-Key in a while, it’s time to take a look again.”
Benefits of One-Key
- Free
- Digital Record of Ownership
- Beacons out Identity
- Service Reminders
- Provides Warranty Info
- Track Tools and Lock Tools
- Geofence Your Job
- Get Alerts
- Who Is Using Tool; What Are They Doing with It
- Spec in a Tool; Give Report
- Complete Inventory Management Via App or Desktop
For more info on the One-Key platform, visit https://onekey.milwaukeetool.com